New Hartford Town Supervisor Patrick Tyksinski has outraised and outspent Republican opponent Don Backman this year leading up to Tuesday’s primary, according to state Board of Elections records.

Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 26, the date that ended the 11-day pre-primary filing period:

* Tyksinski raised nearly $19,300, compared to Backman’s $1,350, according to their filings with the state.

* Tyksinski has spent about $8,975, while Backman has spent about $1,620.

About 15 percent of Tyksinski’s dollars came from some familiar names — a major developer in the town, the town attorney and his family and law firm.

Backman, who has served on the Town Board for more than 10 years, said he wouldn’t accept campaign funds from developers and has called it a conflict of interest. But Tyksinski, who is running for his second term, said that’s not the case and it would be “a little ridiculous” to refuse contributions.

Of Tyksinski’s donations, $1,925 came from town attorney Herbert Cully ($675), Cully’s wife ($500), his son ($500) and his Utica-based law firm Calli Calli & Cully ($250).

Cully — who will earn $53,000 this year for his role with the town, according to the budget — was nominated by Tyksinski for his position but the move was approved by the Town Board.

A Tyksinski appointee, New Hartford Deputy Supervisor Matthew Bohn III, gave $990 to the campaign and earned $1,000 for his role with the town this year.

Cully said he gave the money to the campaign because he believes in Tyksinski’s work for the past three years, “turning around” the financial condition of the town and would like to see him continue.

Larry Adler, developer of the New Hartford Business Park and The Orchard shopping center, donated $1,000 to Tyksinski.

The business park is being developed by the New Hartford Office Group LLC, an affiliate of the Syracuse-based Cameron Group LLC (both of which Adler is a principal).

Adler said his donation to Tyksinski’s campaign shows faith in his record.

“He’s done a great job of getting good results for the town,” Adler said. “He understands business and he understands numbers. That’s important.”

Tyksinski said he doesn’t consider donations from developers an issue.

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“I want the town of New Hartford to be business-friendly, we want to see growth here,” he said.

As for Backman, his money has come from three individual contributions.

“I’m going to represent the resident and not the developer,” Backman said.

Lois Humphreys, wife of former Town Supervisor Ralph Humphreys, donated $500. Cathy Lawrence, co-founder of Concerned Citizens for Honest & Open Government, and her husband gave a combined $850.

“His heart is in this town, I’ll tell you,” Lois Humphreys said of Backman, who was deputy supervisor when her husband was in office.

Kristi Andersen, a political science professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship who specializes in American politics, said what’s important with donations is transparency so voters can draw their own conclusions about potential conflicts of interest.

“It's not necessarily unethical, but you want people to know who is donating,” she said. “One could make the argument that it could be seen as a bribe.”

Still, the practice is very common, especially is races for positions at this level.

“It happens all the time. It’s not illegal. Everyone is able to give what they want,” she said.